[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In what was the most entertaining game of the season, your Flyers de Dayton took down conference foe George Washington, 77-70. This game was a back and forth battle with neither team willing to concede an inch. The Colonials provided plenty of challenges throughout the night, particularly on the glass, but a return to form by Dyshawn Pierre (and some uncharacteristic foul-shooting by both teams) was the difference.

UD improves to 14-3 on the season, 4-1 in A10 play. More importantly, the victory will more than likely provide Dayton with a vital Top 50 RPI win. George Washington looks to be one of the better teams in the conference and will battle for a tournament spot come March.

GW did not handle Dayton’s defensive pressure, turning the ball over an aberrant fourteen times tonight. It was clear the Colonials missed Joe McDonald’s steady presence and ball distribution. Nevertheless, George Washington picked up the slack from behind the three-point line, connecting on 50% (11-of-22) of their shots from long range. Although Tyler Cavanaugh led the way from outside, the Wake Forest transfer accounted for 4 of GW’s threes, every single player that registered substantial minutes, save Yuta Watanabe, converted at least one three-pointer against the Flyers. Every time Dayton put a little run together it seemed like someone from George Washington would knock down a three to stop UD’s momentum.

In the end it was a driving layup by Charles Cooke, and the ensuring foul shot on the foul, that put the game on ice. Cooke’s conventional three-point play gave UD a six-point lead with just 46 seconds remaining in the game. Paul Jorgensen, who had a game he’d probably like to forget about, hit a desperation three to cut the lead to three. However, four straight free-throws, by Pierre and Scoochie Smith, were the final nail in GW’s coffin.

There was a great moment in gambling history at the very end of the game as George Washington’s Patricio Garino was fouled shooting a three from the left corner by Kyle Davis. The spread, depending on your book, was anywhere from UD -5 to UD -6. With UD up seven, Garino had the ability to ruin someone’s night from the foul line. Instead, the Argentine cowardly missed all three attempts, locking up the cover for the home team. As we all know, good teams win, great teams cover. Dayton was great tonight.

George Washington pissed the game away with their lackadaisical ball possession and dreadful foul-shooting. GW, coming into tonight’s contest as one of the nation’s better foul-shooting teams, went just 5-of-15 from the charity stripe, leaving plenty of points on the floor. UD was also able to take advantage of George Washington’s sloppy play, scoring 22 points off of Colonial turnovers. Lonergan’s club failed in two key facets of the game that they usually excel in. Let’s credit Dayton’s ball pressure and the LOWD from the crowd.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” full_height=”yes” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”13608|http://www.blackburnreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12484829_10153907747362372_5137313426242581276_o.jpg” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_img_attach=”fixed”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From a personnel point of view, Dyshawn Pierre finally looked assertive on the offensive end, operating as the team’s focal point on a majority of UD’s possessions. The team’s lone senior was aggressive, continually looking for his shot, largely from behind the arc, and creating mismatches on the low block. DP was the best player on the floor by a mile tonight and hopefully this is the performance that marks his reemergence as one of the best players in the A10. Pierre dropped a season-high 26 points, hit five threes and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the line. His scoring will alleviate some of the pressure on Charles Cooke and provides Dayton with an exceptional rebounder, his continued production will play a large part in how far this team can go.

Big Chief McElvene was very active as well. The freshman snapped out of his funk, racking up twelve points and six boards. Dayton’s big man was tenacious defensively, blocking two shots and altering several of GW’s drives to the bucket. The color commentator, who is the brother of a girl Barack Obama used to fuck, pointed out that McElvene is a weapon due to his foul-shooting acumen. The 6’11” scholar is currently shooting 84% from the foul-line this season, a fact I don’t think you guys have made enough noise about.

Charles Cooke is Charles Cooke. Even when his shot isn’t falling he is good for a big shot or two a game. Tonight was no different, as his three-point play late in the game provided the winning bucket and his three-pointer with around seven minutes to play stemmed a GW run and tied the game at 61. Cooke finished the game with fifteen points.

Scoochie Smith continues to struggle shooting the ball, the Flyer point-guard has fizzled offensively in conference play, shooting a mere 29.7% from the floor over the past five games. Smith does sport a 4.33:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in UD’s Atlantic Ten contests. Scooch has noticeably relied on his perimeter shooting, perhaps it is time for him to penetrate more in order to get easier looks.

Kendall Pollard’s pairing with Dyshawn Pierre was one of the more anticipated aspects of the Canadian’s return to the Gem City. Unfortunately, Pollard can’t seem to stay on the court long enough to provide Dayton with what could be the most talented frontcourt in the conference. Since coming back from an Achilles strain, Pollard has experienced foul trouble, playing just twenty-one minutes a game since his return to health. We have yet to see Pollard, Scooch, DP and Cooke firing on all cylinders in the same game (and odds are we won’t). Dayton will be a very dangerous team if their core four are performing up to their usual standards.

Lastly, it appears Archie Miller has finally settled on a rotation he is happy with. Scooch, Kyle Davis, Cooke, Pollard and Pierre seems to be the starting lineup going forward. Big Steve comes off the bench to challenge opponents inside and DURRELL (hopefully) provides another weapon from beyond the arc. John Crosby has proven that he can effectively run the point and give Scoochie some much needed rest. Ten minutes a game is all Archie needs from the freshman backup. It appears that Mikesell and Sam Miller will be used as stopgaps when needed, which of the two play will be dictated by the opponent’s style of play – it doesn’t appear Archie has any interest in playing the two Caucasians in the same game unless it is well in hand.

This was a key week for UD, two home games against quality league opponents. Dayton acquitted itself nicely against both Davidson and George Washington and figures to be the league favorite from here on out. The Flyers head out on the road, with its usual speedbumps, next week to take on Saint Bonaventure Tuesday night (UD always has issues winning in Olean) and then head to the Bronx to take on an emerging Fordham team on Sunday afternoon. Remain vigilant, remain LOWD.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/FU-tnelBJjM”][vc_single_image image=”13613″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Fux wrong with X Williams? Was getting plenty of burn, wasn’t great but was active.

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3 years ago

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Anonymous

We have Pierre now. Not rocket science.

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3 years ago

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The Kman

Big Steves free throw shooting is def the nice surprise of the season. Am I crazy or would anyone else like to see him, catch it in the post, face the bucket and knock down some 5-7 footers. His shooting form makes it look like it may be more effective than his baby hook from 5 feet out. Use the glass big fella. Pierre’s is back baby. He is bringing back the quick rotation passing game, drives and spin moves in the lane and those nice dishes to open teammates inside. The lob to Steve was magic and hopefully the… Read more »

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3 years ago

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Anonymous

Similar to myself a few years back I fear baby d is in an all out sophomore struggle. Personally I went to the outback steakhouse near Xenia to break my streak. I think he needs a trip to the Greene. The kid looks out of the loop.

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3 years ago

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Terd Ferguson

1. When big Steve gets a shot fake in the post he will be even more deadly. So many and one chances along with getting the other teams bigs in foul trouble

2. What about trying a scoochie Cooke Pierre pollard Steve lineup.. No way we don’t have at least two matchup advantages on offense

3. If we didn’t lose to lasalle.. Top 15?

they are playing great but will obviously play down to the competion against the Bonnie’s and Fordham prep.. It’s the flyer way. You heard it hear first. Flyers lose to uri this year on ESPN 2. Mark it down

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3 years ago

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ReddFoxx

If we had Lebron we’d be top 10. Idiotic

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3 years ago

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Proud GW Colonial Super-fan

Gotta say, Dayton fans are racists, so this win didn’t count. I also hate the fact that I oppress PoC just by existing as a white male.

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3 years ago

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Dick Fitzwell

I’d like to screw Rachel McAdams.

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3 years ago

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ReddFoxx

Nice game Pollard! You made Sam Miller look acceptable by comparison. Should be ashamed of taking up minutes from players who might actually give a shit. Well at least no charging call, probably the first time since 5th grade ball

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3 years ago

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ReddFoxx

Kendall….. Well done today 22 minutes of nothing. Gets the Flyer Sammiller award
What, no charging calls today?????!? Never saw a worse performance. How about reimbursing UD for your Scilla for today- taken under false pretenses.

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3 years ago

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Sonof Sam(miller)

How about Pollard. 21 mins, zero pts, one shot, 1 rebound and little d other than 4 hacks. What a shit show. Bring back the matador, Big Sammiller!!!

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3 years ago

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Mr. Wiggles

MY DICK IS ROCK HARD AND I DIPPED MY BALLS IN WARM BUTTER

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3 years ago

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CMurder

As they lose two more to drop to 1-4 in the conference, can someone explain how in the hell we lost to Lasalle? I can’t wrap my head around it.

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3 years ago

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Stone

Anyone who thinks Sam Miller should be playing over anybody else with a heartbeat on the bench sans the walkons needs to have a lobotomy via a colonoscopy. Hell, I’d rather see Wehrli out there.

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3 years ago

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Gil

Comments like these will be used by your future defense lawyers to prove your insanity.

There were comments on this blog a few weeks earlier that hinted at roughly the same numbers though in a range of $1.6-$2 Mil. It is possible, but I have no idea.

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3 years ago

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John Deere

I’ve heard north of $2 mil. I wouldn’t consider myself an insider so take it for what it’s worth. Not much.

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3 years ago

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John Deere

I hate these posts because I can’t overcome the temptation to go over to the Pride forum and read the shit. Another Prider said that he/ she doesn’t get too excited when talk of Archie leaving comes up because “UD is bigger than Archie”. Did I somehow miss 30 years of UD basketball before Archie?